Should I squeeze every last drop from the lemon? What do you do?

[Picture North Carolina]

I am not a pro. I shoot part-time, making only extra, part-time money. I shoot freelance for print publishers and periodically get dispatched to paid assignments.

On a recent assignment, I photographed a band. After the concert, I talked with the band members. I was asked about supplying pictures for their website. Not only that, but each member also requested pics of themselves for themselves.

I replied, sure - somebody else is paying the bill so I'll give you some pics free. But now I'm having second thoughts. Not on that deal, I keep my word. But for the future. I'm wondering what the philosophy of forum members is: to be super liberal with "give-aways" or do you squeeze every last drop out of each lemon, or perhaps some happy medium in between. /Dan

[ssim]

Generally I try to maximize the opportunities that present themselves. You always get hit up for freebies you just have to learn how to say no. Even if someone else has paid for your time for the original shoot, I position that this is a separate transaction. Depending on the circumstances of the job at hand I will ask the original customer if they have concerns about this. I don't want them to think that I am working underhanded behind their back.

Is it appropriate to say no all the time, no. I try to guage it there is some upside for me to giving them something for free or a discount. Can I can more work from them by doing this.

To answer your question, you have to learn when to squeeze or not. There is no cut and dried answer.

[Picture North Carolina]

Generally I try to maximize the opportunities that present themselves. You always get hit up for freebies you just have to learn how to say no. Even if someone else has paid for your time for the original shoot, I position that this is a separate transaction. Depending on the circumstances of the job at hand I will ask the original customer if they have concerns about this. I don't want them to think that I am working underhanded behind their back.

Is it appropriate to say no all the time, no. I try to guage it there is some upside for me to giving them something for free or a discount. Can I can more work from them by doing this.

To answer your question, you have to learn when to squeeze or not. There is no cut and dried answer.

Thanks, Sheldon. Good advice. I covered that territory with the publisher's art director today. They have never made me sign anything but he asked that with any picture(s) they purchase not to publish or sell or give them away 90 days before, and 90 days after the publishing date. They want to publish originals. 90 days after publishing they have no restrictions. /Dan